Best Waste Management Consulting Services in the USA

United States Waste Management Consultants

Methodology: How We Chose These U.S.-Based Waste Management Consulting Services

We selected each agency with a rigorous, transparent process:

Research‑driven: Only consulting firms with verifiable public case studies, frameworks, or frameworks (e.g., lifecycle analysis, waste audits) were considered.

Client‑reviewed: We prioritized consultancies with documented client feedback or proven ROI showcasing results like diversion rate improvements or cost savings.

Location‑based: Only firms headquartered in the U.S. were included, ensuring geographic relevance.

US-Based Waste Management Consultants - Provider Spotlights

SmartWaste Inc

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What they do:
SmartWaste Inc is a woman-owned waste consulting and brokerage firm that helps businesses reduce landfill waste and streamline hauling operations through data-driven planning and third-party vendor management. Their services include waste audits, LEED compliance support, sustainability reporting, and optimized waste diversion strategies.

Who they work with:
Commercial real estate firms, general contractors, event planners, and multi-site corporate clients, primarily across Texas and the Southwest.

Operating model:
Independent and hauler-agnostic; acts as a client advocate across waste streams by designing tailored waste programs and negotiating with vendors.

💡 Why they stand out:

• Delivers hauler transparency and cost control by removing conflicts of interest, SmartWaste doesn’t own trucks
  
  
• Specializes in LEED documentation and compliance for construction and tenant improvement projects
  
  
• Founded and led by a certified woman-owned business (WBE) with a strong voice in waste equity and environmental justice conversations

Sara Eve Fuentes, Founder & CEO of SmartWaste Inc.

Sara Eve Fuentes brings over a decade of experience in waste consulting and sustainability-focused brokerage. Before founding SmartWaste, she worked on the hauling side—giving her unique insight into pricing models and vendor operations. She’s known for advocating waste transparency and reform in commercial real estate and construction. Under her leadership, SmartWaste has become a disruptor in a traditionally opaque industry—offering full accountability, custom reporting, and programs designed to align business goals with environmental impact. Sara is also a prominent speaker and educator on women’s leadership in sustainability.

Waste Wiz Consulting

What they do:
Strategic waste planning and zero-waste certification support for corporate and educational clients.

Who they work with:
Corporations, universities, campuses.

Operating model:
Consultancy-driven, certification-focused framework.

💡 Why they stand out:

• Specializes in zero‑waste program certification for campuses and HQs
  
  
• Deploys structured lifecycle analysis and behavior-change campaigns
  
  
• Demonstrated 20–40% waste diversion within first program year

Jana Alfiero, Founder & CEO of Waste Wiz Consulting

Jana brings 12 years in sustainability consulting across higher education and enterprise sectors. She’s known for rolling out campus-wide zero-waste efforts and engaging stakeholders—from grounds staff to execs to drive measurable change. Her leadership emphasizes inclusivity and data-backed strategies.

MSW Consultants

What they do:
Municipal solid waste (MSW) planning, infrastructure siting, and regional waste system optimization.

Who they work with:
Municipalities, waste authorities, regional governments.

Operating model:
Project-based, combining strategic siting with financial and operational modeling.

💡 Why they stand out:

• Integrates site feasibility + financial modeling for transfer stations and landfills
  
  
• Adapts solid waste auditing frameworks to local scale
  
  
• Trusted by regional agencies to optimize system cost-effectiveness

David Davis, Founder & President of MSW Consultants

David is a civil/environmental engineer turned waste strategist, with 15+ years in regional infrastructure planning. He’s especially known for delivering cost-saving site optimizations that reduce total lifecycle transport and disposal expense. His approach marries technical clarity with stakeholder alignment.

Innovative Waste Strategies, LLC (IWS)

What they do:
IWS provides strategic waste management consulting for public and private clients, with a focus on planning, procurement, and policy development. Their services range from zero waste planning and diversion strategy to contract development, compliance support, and stakeholder engagement.

Who they work with:
Municipalities, state agencies, higher education institutions, and commercial clients—primarily in the Northeast and Midwest U.S.

Operating model:
Strategic partner model blending policy advisory, hands-on project management, and stakeholder facilitation to help clients achieve realistic waste diversion goals.

💡 Why they stand out:

• Specialists in zero waste and solid waste management planning, grounded in local policy and infrastructure
  
  
• Strong public procurement and RFP support—guiding clients through complex vendor negotiations
  
  
•  Known for practical, implementable strategies—not just plans on paper

Jim Ladue, Founder & President of Innovative Waste Strategies

Jim Ladue is a veteran environmental consultant with over 25 years in solid waste planning, sustainability policy, and contract development. He’s led or supported waste system evaluations for cities including Boston, New York, and Detroit, and has helped dozens of institutions develop achievable diversion roadmaps. Jim is recognized for his pragmatic, stakeholder-centric approach—translating complex technical goals into feasible municipal strategies. He’s also a sought-after advisor for his deep knowledge of regional market conditions and public contracting best practices.

Solid Waste Specialists, LLC

What they do:
Waste review, reduction planning, and compliance advisory for businesses and local governments.

Who they work with:
Local government agencies, businesses in Midwest/Deep South.

Operating model:
On-the-ground consulting and direct training.

💡 Why they stand out:

• Delivers strong operational training programs for field staff
  
  
• Skilled at local-level regulatory alignment and permitting strategies
  
  
• Engages directly with staff for sustainable behavior change

R L (Lynn) Lantrip, Founder & Principal of Solid Waste Specialists, LLC

Lynn is a veteran in municipal waste operations, with decades of field experience. Known for no-nonsense training that empowers operations staff to reach performance benchmarks. She’s driven multi-county programs that significantly reduced landfill reliance.

WasteStrategies LLC

What they do:
Waste policy consulting, cost-benefit analysis, and program development for local governments.

Who they work with:
City councils, municipal policymakers.

Operating model:
Policy-first, analytical, strategic.

💡 Why they stand out:

• Conducts in-depth cost-benefit studies for council decisions
  
  
• Advises on policy frameworks for waste diversion, pay-as-you-throw, recycling mandates
  
  
• Delivers evidence-based recommendations that drive actionable policy change

John Nicklin, Founder & Managing Member of  WasteStrategies LLC

John is an environmental policy expert with a strong record advising municipalities. He’s known for clear, fiscally sound policy alternatives—enabling greener, affordable waste systems. His work often underpins municipal vote-backed program rollouts.

HF&H Consultants

What they do:
Solid waste program evaluation, facility planning, and rate-setting services.

Who they work with:
Finance departments, regional agencies.

Operating model:
Data‑intensive consulting and fiscal benchmarking.

💡 Why they stand out:

• Combines rate-setting analytics with system planning
  
  
• Helps clients establish financial sustainability of waste programs
  
  
• Provides benchmarking tools to improve system performance

Robert Hilton, Founder & President of HF&H Consultants

Robert Hilton leads HF&H Consultants with more than two decades of experience in public utility financial planning, with a primary focus on environmental services. His background includes prior municipal roles and years of direct consulting with California cities navigating rate adjustments, franchise renegotiations, and SB 1383 compliance planning. Robert is respected for his deep fluency in California law, strategic acumen in franchise structuring, and calm, collaborative leadership style. Under his guidance, HF&H has become one of the most trusted voices in sustainable utility management for local governments—particularly where financial transparency and policy complexity intersect.

Corporate Waste Solutions, LLC

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What they do:
Corporate-scale waste diversion and sustainability program strategy.

Who they work with:
National retailers, large commercial chains.

Operating model:
Strategic, brand-aligned program design.

💡 Why they stand out:

• Aligns brand sustainability goals with operational diversion plans
  
  
• Uses programmatic audits leading to reduced waste-to-landfill or single-use reliance
  
  
• Offers scalable models for national rollouts

Candace Seger, Founder & CEO of Corporate Waste Solutions, LLC

Candace has a marketing-background-informed approach to sustainability—blending brand alignment with operations. Her clients include retail chains that achieved measurable landfill reduction via national diversion strategies. She’s known for balancing sustainability with commercial objectives.

What they do:
Solid waste management consulting for public and private sectors, including policy, infrastructure, and system planning.

Who they work with:
Government agencies, large waste authorities.

Operating model:
Full-service consulting across strategy, technical, and operational domains.

💡 Why they stand out:

• Offers both strategic planning and on-the-ground technical solutions
  
  
• Well-regarded for complex system optimization at scale (Environmental Expert)
  
  
• Trusted by major authorities, reflecting institutional credibility

Harvey Gershman, Founder, Chairman & President of GBB

Harvey is a pioneer in U.S. waste management consulting with decades of experience advising state and regional agencies. Known for blending rigorous technical planning with pragmatic strategy helping clients reconfigure their systems efficiently and sustainably.

Navigating U.S. Waste Consulting with Strategy, Compliance, and Results

Waste management consulting in the U.S. is evolving with highly specialized firms driving efficiency, regulatory alignment, and sustainability across municipalities, businesses, and institutions. Approaches vary from audit-first models and zero-waste certification support to smart waste tech and strategic policy consulting. These firms distinguish themselves by measurable outcomes like 20–40% waste diversion, cost reduction in hauling, and improved permitting success. They rely on a mix of field expertise, data analytics, and stakeholder collaboration to deliver tailored, local solutions. This sector proves essential in supporting public and private organizations in managing waste with financial, environmental, and operational impact.

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